GCCI and CDB discuss capacity-building initiatives for agri-sector
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and representatives of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) met on May 29 to discuss the pursuit of several capacity-building initiatives that will benefit Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) in Guyana, with special focus on the agriculture sector—particularly small-scale farmers.
In attendance at the meeting were the CDB’s Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) Consultant, Ms. Allyson Francis and Senior Operations Officer, Mr. Michel Thomas, and a team from the GCCI that included Senior Vice President, Mrs. Kathy Smith; Councillor and Executive Member, Mr. Richard Rambarran; Treasurer and Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, Mr. Brian Edwards and Trade and Investment Consultant, Ms. Jessica Campbell.
Discussions revolved around the ‘Improving Quality Standards of Agro-Processors through Training’ Project, and expanding current initiatives that are geared towards capacity-building such as funding the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification for agro-processors. HACCP is a food safety management system that caters to the analysis of food safety hazards from production to consumption of a product, which will enable agro-processors to establish safe and proper production environments.
There is also keen interest in introducing new programmes that target women farmers, in order to empower them to grow crops that they can transform into value-added products.
